Expansible pulley.



No. 789,136. I PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

WI M

EXPANSIBLE PULLEY.

APPLIUATION' FILED MAR. 7,1904.

3 SHEETSSHEBT PATENTE'D MAYO, 1905.

W. M. BARBER. EXPANSIBLE PULLEY.

APPLICATION IILED MAR.7,1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Ra w M PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

W. M.BARBER.

BXPANSIBLE PULLEY.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.7,1904L 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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Patented May 9, 1905.

ATBNT MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF BROOKLINE, MASSA- EXPANSIBLE PULLEY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 789,136, dated May 9,1905. Application. filed March '7, 1904.. Serial No 196,814.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM M. BARBER. a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of Somerville, in thecounty of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Expansible Pulleys, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, inexplaining its nature.

My invention relates to an improvement in expansible pulleys of theclass, so called, pertaining especially to an improvedmeans by which theexpansion or contraction of the pulleys may be obtained, together withmeans by which the pulleys when belted together may be simultaneouslycorrespondingly but reversely changed, the one becoming con tracted asthe other is expanded,and vice versa.

The special object of my invention is to strengthen, simplify, and makeas compact as possible the means by which the adjustment of the pulleysmay be obtained and by which means also they may be changed or variedwith certainty and exactness, this, moreover, when the pulleys are inoperation, and when changed their parts may be held fixed in placewithout danger of accidental displacement.

Inasmuch as my improved expansible pulleys are especially adapted to bebelted to gether, Ihave shown them in the drawings in this connection.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows in plan ,the pulleys beltedtogether, with various details illustrating their means of support andthe means by which their adjustment maybe obtained, as will hereinafterbe explained. Fig. 2 shows a cross-section through one of the pulleys,both of which are alike, as will hereinafter be explained. Fig. 3 showsacross-section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectionon the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, A represents a frame of arbitrary character, upon whichare mounted the pulleys or drums A A The pulleys are connected by a beltA or other connection by which the motion of one pulley is communicatedto the other, A representing the drivin-gpulley and A the follower orpulley driven. In the operation of the pulleys motion given to thepulley A would be communicated to the pulley A and thence to the drum,wheel, or other member rotated thereby. Motion is given the pulley A byashaft a, turning in boxes (0 a fixed to the frame, while motion istransmitted from the driven pulley A to the member rotated therebythrough a connecting-shaft (:0 having bearing in the box a. The mannerin which these shafts connect with their respective pulleys willhereinafter be explained.

As a means illustrative of the manner in which rotary motion may begiven the shaft (0, connecting with the driving-pulley A, I have shown apulley A arranged on a shaft a turning in the boxes (.0 (b on the frame.The shaft (0 carries on its end a gear e engaging with a gear a" on saidshaft (0, whereby motion given to the pulley A from any source istransmitted to the shaft 0 to give motion to the driving-pulley A. Thismeans just referred to, however, is entirely arbitrary and, as saidbefore, is shown merely for purposes of illustration.

The pulleys A A are alike in their construction, so that a descriptionof one will answer for the other, and they are so made that the relativediameters of their respective faces or the portions thereof around whichthe belt winds may be varied at will and this when the pulleys are inoperation. Referring, therefore, to the construction of the pulleys,each pulley comprises the disk-like sides B B and the cylindrical face BThe side B has projecting from its center internally a hollow shaft Bforming the hub of the pulley. On the end of this hollow shaft B therefits the side B of the pulley, wherefore the two sides thereof arearranged in proper opposition. The side B fits to rest against anannular shoulder 7) on the shaft B which shoulder defines the distanceseparating it from the opposite side B of the pulley, and it is held inplace by the collar 7), fitting onto the end of the hollow shaft Bprojecting through the side B, the collar being fixed to the end of theshaft by means of one or more set-screws L The external hub B is also tobe noted projecting from the side B of the pulley. Motion is given to ortransmitted from the respective pulleys from the side, so as not tointerfere with its interior mechanism, hereinafter to be referred to,and the hub B acts to receive the shaft by which such motion is given ortransmitted, which, as may be seen by reference to Fig. 1, is the shafta for the driving-pulley A and the shaft 6& for the driven pulley AMoreover, these shafts connecting as they do furnish means for mountingone side of the respective pulleys, the other side being mounted by theprojecting end of their hollow shafts or hub having bearing in a boxfixed to the frame, which for the pulley Av is the box (4 and for thepulley A the box a. The face B of each of the respective pulleys betweenthe two sides is made up of a series of individual segments If, whichsegments when in a position contiguous with one another form acontinuous surface or cylindrical face of relatively minimum diameter,but which when moved out radially with the segments separated from oneanother give a gradually-increasing relative diameter to the face of thepulley. As many of these segments may be employed as desired; but foursegments, each forming a quadrant of a circle when the edges arecontiguous, is the preferred number. The segments 7; are moved out ontrue radial lines at the same relative distance from one another, andfor this purpose there are formed internally on the respective sides B Bof the pulley the radiallyextending ribs 5 along which the segments areguided in their radial movement. This effect is obtained by means ofgrooves 1/, formed along the side edges of the respective segments, atwhich points they are provided with guidingflanges 6, along which thegrooves are made. The segments are each moved out radially by means ofthe links 6 b in the interior of the pulley. These links are preferablymade with cleft ends by which at one end the links are pivotally joinedto their respective segments at opposite sides thereof, the pivotalconnections being designated 5" 6 and are obtained by the cleft ends ofthe respective links fitting upon bosses F projecting from the segmentsback of their flanges 6 at either side thereof. The other ends of thelinks are pivotally joined, respectively, to the respective members orblocks 6 I), which are adapted to travel or slide longitudinally inslots 6 cut longitudinally along through the hollow shaft 15'. Pivotalconnection between the links and sliding blocks is made by pinconnections 71 6 with the cleft ends of the links fitting upon bossesI)" I)", projecting from said blocks. The sliding blocks I) 5 for allthe segments are retained to travel or slide in their respective groovesin the hollow shaft by the heads thereof being wider than the slot insaid shaft and with the bodies of the l blocks extending through theslots in the shaft 1 to project on the inside thereof, where they areretained by cross-pins b.- The connecting-links b b are of such equallength and the sliding blocks so relatively disposed that the slidingblocks will be in close proximity when the segments forming the face ofthe pulley are nearest the center thereof, with the effect that when theblocks are slid in reverse direction to one another the segments aremoved out to a maximum or drawn in to a minimum radial position or fixedat any intermediate position dependent upon the relative position of therespective blocks. The relative diameter of the face of the pulley is inthis way defined. It is of course necessary that the respective sets ofsliding blocks 5 5 for all the segments should be moved simultaneouslyin reverse direction in order that all the segments may be advanced orretracted an equal amount, so preserving the relative cylindricity ofthe face of the pulley. For this purpose there are provided inside thehollow shaft B the traveling nuts 7) 6 corresponding with the respectivesets of sliding blocks. These nuts are made alike annular in form ofabout the internal diameter of the hollow shaft, but not so as tointerfere with the shaft turning, for the nuts are fixed, as will behereinafter explained. Around the periphery of each of the respectivenuts is cut an annular groove 6 leaving shoulders 6 Z2 on either sidethereof. Into the annular grooves Z2 there lit the ends of the slidingblocks which project through the slots in the hollow shaft, as beforeexplained. These projecting endsif the nuts be moved will be engaged bythe annular shoulder 6 or Fidepending as the nut is moved in onedirection or the other and with the effect thatif the respective nuts bemoved simultaneously in reverse direction the corresponding sets ofsliding blocks will be carried with them. For the purpose of moving thetraveling nuts in reverse direction they are arranged upon the screw B",extending from the open end of the shaft B into the hollow thereof. Thescrew B is cut with right and left threads 5 5 and the respectivetraveling nuts are fitted upon these threads. The screw B is supportedat one end to turn in a box 6 a portion of which box extends into theprojecting end of the hollow shaft, closing the open end of the same,and said screw at its other end projects to have bearing in a hole 6formed in the side B of the pulley. The traveling nuts 5 6 are stayedagainst turning by the rods B, shown fixed in the end of that portion ofthe box 6 which extends into the projecting end of thehollow shaft, withthe effect that when the screw B is turned these nuts will be movedsimultaneously in reverse directions toward and from one another,operating, as before explained, to carry with them the sliding blocks ormembers, while they in turn, through the links connecting with thesegments forming the face of the pulley, move radially out or in, soincreasing or diminishing the relative diameter of the 'in one directionor the other, this of course depending upon the direction theoperatingscrew is turned. The utility of this means for effecting theadjustment of the pulley consists perhaps more especially in itssimplicity and compactness, it being contained for the most part withinthe hollow of the pulley, also in the certainty and exactness with whichthe pulley while in operation may be contracted or expanded, for thesegments comprising the face of the pulley within the limits of theiradjustment maybe adjusted to and held fixed at practically any point ofadjusted position, effecting thereby an accuracy and exactness in speedregulation, which is of the utmost importance, especially when thepulley is used for certain kindsof work.

hen the pulleys are belted together as a means for turning in reversedirections, their screws B in order to simultaneously correspondinglybut reversely change the respective pulleys, or, in other words, tocontract the one while the other is expanded, I have arranged betweenthe pulleys a hand-wheel C upon a shaft 0, turning in boxes 0 0 fixed tothe frame. Upon this shaft 0, at either end thereof, are arrangedsprockets 0 0*, respectively, which by chains 0 0 connect with therespective sprockets 0 a fixed on the ends of the respective screws 13.By simply turning the wheel C thus connected the screws 13 will beturned in reverse direction to one another, which direction is changeddepending as the wheel 0 is turned in one direction or the other andwith the effect that one pulley is contracted as the other is expanded,or vice versa. With such relative change in the pulleys the speed of thedriven pulley is of course increased or diminished, so increasing ordiminishing or, in other words, changing the speed of the roll, drum, orother operative member operated by it.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States- 1. An expansible pulley having ahollow, internal hub, and a number of adjustable segments forming theface of the pulley, links pivoted to said segments for adjusting them,and means for operating said links from within the hollow of said hub ofthe pulley.

2. An expansible pulley having an expansible face comprising a series ofadjustable segments and a hollow hub having slots out therein, membersadapted to travel in said slots formed in the hub of the pulley and berotatable therewith, means connecting said traveling members with saidsegments forming the face of the pulley for effecting their adjustment,and means within said hollow hub of the pulley and non-rotatabletherewith for moving said traveling members.

i 3. An expansible pulley having an expanding face comprising a seriesof adjustable segments, a hollow hub with slots cut therein, membersadapted to travel in said slots, links connecting said members and thesegments forming the face of the pulley, and means for moving saidmembers simultaneously in reverse directions.

4. In an expansible pulley having an expansible face, a hollow,rotatable hub, means inside said hollow hub non-rotatable therewith, andconnecting with, for effecting the adjustment of said expansible face ofthe pulley.

5. In an expansible pulley, a hollow, rotatable hub with slots cuttherein, traveling members adjustable in said slots, and means insidesaid hollow hub of the pulley non-ro tatable therewith, for effectingthe adjustment of said traveling members.

6. In an expansible pulley, a hollow, rotatable hub with slots cuttherein, members adapted to travel in said slots, a right-andleft screwinside said hollow hub, and adjustable nuts arranged thereon, said nutsbeing adapted to connect with, for effecting the adjustment of saidtraveling members, and means for fixing said nuts to be non-rotatablewith said hub of the pulley.

7. An expansible pulley having two sides and a hollow, slotted hubextending between the same, said hub extending from one to projectthrough the other of said sides and upon which hub said other side isdetachably mounted, segments forming the face of the pulley, adjustablebetween its said sides, members fixed to travel within said slots in thehollow hub, links connecting said traveling members with said segments,and means within said hollow hub for moving said traveling membersreversely in opposite directions.

8. In an expansible pulley, a hollow hub having a series of spaced slotscut longitudinally therein, members adapted to travel in said slots andbe rotatable with said hub of the pulley, a portion of which membersprojects into the hollow of the hub, a non-rotatable means within saidhollow of the hub adapted when moved longitudinally to engage with saidprojecting portions of the said members for effecting the adjustment ofthe same, and operating mechanism for the means aforesaid.

9. In an expansible pulley, a hollow hub having slots cut therein,members fixed to travel in said slots, a portion of which members extendthrough said slots to project within said hollow'hub, traveling nutsinside said hollow hub, said nuts each having an annular groove cut inits periphery into which grooves for the respective nuts the projectingportions of said members are adapted to extend, means for fixing saidnuts against else than a longitudinal movement, and a right-and-leftscrew within the hollow of the hub for moving said nuts longitudinallyin reverse directions.

10. An expansible pulley having two sides and a hollow, connecting hubwith a series of slots cut longitudinally therein, segments comprisingthe face of the-pulley and radially adjustable between its sides,sliding members, 6 6 respectively, retained in said slots in the hollowhub and rotatable therewith, traveling nuts, 6 6 inside said hollow hub,with which said sliding members combine, a right and-left screw uponwhich said nuts are arranged,and means for staying said nuts againstelse than a reverse longitudinal movement upon said screw.

11. An expansible pulley, having adjustable segments comprising the facethereof, and a hollow hub with longitudinal slots out therein, sets ofmembers retained to slide in said slots, a portion of which membersextend through said slots to project inside said hollow hub, linkspivotally connecting said sets of members with said segments, travelingnuts inside said hollow hub, said nuts each having an annular groove cutin its periphery, within which grooves for the respective nuts theprojecting portions of said sets of sliding members are adapted to becontained, means for fixing said traveling nuts against else thanlongitudinal movement, and a right-and-left screw for moving the samelongitudinally in reverse directions.

12. The combination of two belted, expansible pulleys of the characterspecified, each having a series of individual segments comprising theface thereof with a hollow, internal hub with longitudinal slots cuttherein, members adapted to travel in said slots and be rotatabletherewith, a portion of which members extend through said slots toproject inside the hollow of the hub, means connecting said travelingmembers with said segments whereby they may be radially adjustable,non-rotatable nuts retained to travel inside saidhollow hub andconnecting with, for effecting the adjustment of said traveling members,a right-and-left screw for operating said nuts, sprockets arranged uponthe ends of said screws for said respective pulleys, a rotary,intermediate shaft, sprockets arranged thereon connected with thesprockets on said screws, and means for turning said shaft whereby saidscrews are moved in reverse directions.

WILLIAM M. BARBER. Witnesses:

JOHN E. R. HAYES, J. M. DOLAN.

